A Week In Review: Criminal Code, Budget, Abortion Drugs

Photo: Noah Coffey (Flickr)

Governor Mitch Daniels is hoping his initiatives gain ground this session.

Governor Mike Pence signed the first bill of his governorship this week while lawmakers approved a revision of the state’s criminal code, regulation of abortion drugs and the state budget.

Governor Mike Pence’s first bill signing approved legislation fast-tracked through the General Assembly  aimed at preventing a $57 million increase in farmland property taxes this year.

House lawmakers also sent a two-year, $30 billion state budget to the state Senate for approval. The bill includes $344 million more for K-12 education and $250 million a year in permanent, sustainable infrastructure funding. It does not include the governor’s proposed 10-percent income tax cut. Pence says he will continue to push for the cut in the Senate.

The House also passed legislation overhauling the state’s criminal code. Changes include moving from four felony levels to six, reducing prison time for some non-violent offenses and an increasing emphasis on probation and rehabilitation.

And the Senate this week approved a bill requiring women undergo an ultrasound before receiving abortion-inducing drugs from an abortion clinic. Opponents say the bill effectively requires an invasive transvaginal ultrasound. But supporters of the bill say it does not mandate any specific type of the procedure.